294 REMARKS INTRODUCTORY TO THE 
cure supplies, which can always be had at La Pointe, sufficient for the remainder of 
the season. 
In pursuance of this plan, we ascended the Mississippi to Sandy Lake, and crossed, 
by way of the West and East Savannah Rivers, to St. Louis River, which we 
descended to Fond du Lac Village. At this place, Colonel Whittlesey remained 
for the purpose of making astronomical observations, while I proceeded to examine 
the geology of Left-hand and Black Rivers. I then returned to Fond du Lac, and, 
with Colonel Whittlesey and Mr. R. B. Carlton, descended the Lake, along the 
north shore, as far as Two Island River. Between that point and “ Fond du Lac 
Supérieure,” as full a reconnoissance was made among the trap and metamorphic 
rocks, and for as great a distance from the Lake shore, as my instructions required, 
and the time allowed me permitted. 
On our return to St. Louis River, we were joined by Mr. Basil H. Beaulieu, in 
the capacity of assistant and interpreter. After making arrangements with Colonel 
Whittlesey for the exploration of Aminekan and Poplar Rivers, I started to La 
Pointe, on the 31st of July. At that place, I obtained provisions sufficient to last 
the corps for three months, and then returned to Fond du Lac Village, where I was 
rejoined by Colonel Whittlesey ; and on the 12th of August, we began to ascend 
St. Louis River. This stream was followed up to the mouth of Upper Embarras 
River, where we left it, and ascended the last-named stream to a point where the 
Indian trail, which crosses the highlands separating the waters of Hudson’s Bay 
from those of Lake Superior, strikes it. By this trail, which is six miles in length, 
we reached the head-waters of Vermilion River, and descended that stream, through 
Vermilion Lake to Rainy Lake. Thence, we descended Rainy Lake River as far 
as the mouth of Big Fork River, the largest tributary of that stream. 
We began to ascend the Big Fork, on our way south, on the 10th of September. 
Two days’ journey from the mouth, Opimabonowin River, which heads in the 
direction of Red Lake, comes in from the west. It had been our intention to 
reach one of the northern tributaries of Red Lake, by ascending Opimabonowin 
River to a portage path used by the Red Lake Indians in their journeys to Rainy 
Lake and Lake of the Woods. At its mouth, however, we met an Indian who had 
just descended it, and the information derived from him satisfied me that, with our 
large canoes, the route was an impracticable one. It was determined, therefore, 
to continue up the Big Fork to one of its sources, and then reach Lake Winibe- 
goshish by one of the northern tributaries of the Mississippi. 
On the 19th of September we arrived at Lake Winibegoshish. Leaving one of 
the canoes at the Trading-House, in charge of a disabled voyageur, we proceeded 
by way of Cass Lake, Turtle River, and the chain of lakes described by Beltrami, 
to Red Lake. 
From Red Lake we returned by the same route to Lake Winibegoshish; and 
thence descended the Mississippi to the mouth of Mud River. From that point I 
sent one of the canoes, with all the collections and most of our baggage, down the 
Mississippi, in charge of Mr. Beaulieu, with instructions to wait for me at the 
mouth of Rum River; while I, accompanied by Colonel Whittlesey, left the Missis- 
sippi, for the purpose of examining the Mille Lacs country. 
